Human Resources Committee on Dec. 3rd, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Give a short answer, please, Minister.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

The short answer is that, at the federal-provincial-territorial meeting last week with all of my counterparts, we moved forward additional work that's been happening on creating a multi-jurisdictional workforce strategy. That work is still ongoing. It's not complete, but it is a priority among all provinces and territories.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Ms. Zarrillo.

Madam Gray, you have five minutes.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

In British Columbia, illicit drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among youth aged 10 to 18, according to figures by the B.C. coroners service. As the minister for children and families, you must surely be concerned about these numbers.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

I am a mother and I am the minister for families and children. Of course I'm concerned about these numbers.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Minister, do you agree that illicit drug decriminalization and taxpayer-funded drugs should never have been allowed?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

Respectfully, I think this is off-topic from the topic of this committee and what I have jurisdiction—

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Respectfully, Minister, I will interrupt you there, because, actually, you're here today to talk about your mandate letter. Your mandate letter says that you are to work with the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions to “ensure mental health supports are accessible to children and youth”.

Do you agree with the Canadian centre on substance abuse that mental health problems and substance abuse issues are linked?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

Yes, I do.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

As minister for children, shouldn't you be seeking to address the increasing youth overdoses, especially when your government-funded hard drugs are so often being diverted?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

As I was saying earlier, another minister is the lead on this. Of course I have conversations with her, but she is leading this work.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Minister, it's right in your mandate letter.

I'll also bring up that the parents of 13-year-old Brianna MacDonald, who tragically overdosed, were very clear on this link. Her mother said, “I think a lot of the reasons she was doing the drugs was the mental health problems she was having”.

Your ministerial mandate is to ensure that mental health supports are accessible to children and youth. Are you taking any actions at all?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

As I mentioned earlier, I work closely with my colleague, who has the lead on this file. She leads, and I provide support as needed.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Working closely, what actions have you taken, Minister?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

I have conversations on a regular basis with my colleague who leads this file.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

What specific actions have you taken on this, Minister?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

As I just mentioned, another colleague leads this. I provide input. She is ultimately the minister who is responsible.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

You're obviously not willing to answer the question on any actions you've taken. It's right in your mandate letter.

I will bring up as well that Brianna MacDonald's parents told the HESA committee that they were unable to access mental health care for their daughter, but she was able to acquire “zip-lock bags full of needles, cooking kits and pamphlets on how to cook the drugs and safely use them.”

As minister for children, do you think children as young as 12 should be provided needles, cook kits and instruction manuals for drug use instead of mental health care?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

Again, as a mother and as the minister for families, of course I don't think drugs belong in our children's hands. I think everyone in this room and across the country can agree with that sentiment.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

I'll go back to you again, Minister, and ask what specific actions you have have taken on this issue. It's right in your mandate letter.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

As you read out earlier, my mandate letter indicates working with the minister who is responsible for and has the lead on this file.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

What actions have you taken? What actions have you recommended?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

I believe I've already answered this question.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

No, you haven't, so I'll move on.

Police associations are warning about the dangers of the diversion of government-funded drugs, particularly the diversion to children. A drug bust in Campbell River, British Columbia, found taxpayer-funded fentanyl moulded into gummy bear and dinosaur shapes.

You're the minister for children and families. Again, your mandate letter clearly states that you should be working with the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. Have you taken any actions to protect children from diverted taxpayer-funded drugs?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

I appreciate the question. Again, there is a minister who's leading this work. I provide input as she is requiring it.